Shipping pad



March 26, 1963 J. R. MOSHER SHIPPING PAD Filed Aug. 1, 1960 ATTORNEY R uR.

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Flavag JAMES Ross M FIG. 39

United States Patent 3,082,896 SHIPPING PAD James Ross Mosher, Saratoga,Calif, assignor t0 Bean Rubber Manufacturing Co.,. San Jose, Calif., acorporation of California Filed Aug. 1, 1960, Ser. No. 46,703 4 Claims.(Cl. 217-53) This invention relates to protective packaging pads whichare attachable to generally bulky, movable articles during the shippingand storage thereof. More particularly, it relates to an improvedprotective pad for articles having surfaces of relatively large radii orirregular exterior contours.

The problem of packaging articles in large numbers for shipment orstorage has long been a serious one, especially with regard toprotecting such articles both from surface damage and internal damagedue to shock or vibration. A highly effective solution to this problemwas described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 819,- 585. Thisinvention comprised a one-piece protective rubber pad in combinationwith magnets embedded therein, which was thus easily attachable to andremovable from an article being shipped, and provided protection againstsurface contact, sudden shock, and vibration of the article.

As my original aforementioned magnetic shipping pad came into greateruse, certain problems arose in connection with the packaging and storageof articles having corners and sides of greater radii than those whichnormally occur in the vast majority of articles being shipped. Thelarger radii created a problem because during packaging, it was oftendesirable to employ metal strapping, well known in the packing field, inconjunction with the shipping blocks and, in the case of articles havingcorners with large radii the one-piece pads failed to conform to theproper corner shape, the straps touched and damaged the unprotectedsurface of the article.

It is, therefore, one important object of this invention to provide anew, improved shipping pad which will provide protection for articleshaving sides and corners with large radii.

Another problem which arose was to find a means to accommodate thevarious sizes and shapes of the many different articles which requiredthe highly advantageous protective features of my shipping pad. Thisrequirement presented a problem of devising a means to provide shippingpads in various sizes and yet to utilize the surface contacting pads ofa single, standardized form.

Therefore, another important object of the invention is to provide animproved shipping pad which utilizes en larged end pad members incombination with interchangeable connectable means to vary the lengthbetween the end contact members, so that the complete assembledprotective device can be used to accommodate articles and surfaces ofvarious sizes and shapes.

Another object is to provide a composite protective shipping pad that iseasily attachable to and removable from the outer surface of the shippedarticle including corners thereof without requiring an attaching meanson the article.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide animproved, lightweight protective shipping device, with enlarged end-padshaving embedded magnets therein, in combination with a lockable,removable, interconnecting band.

Another object is to provide a flexible connecting band which can beinterlocked at each end to a shock absorbing pad and which can bedeformed to be disconnected from said pads.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a flexibleconnecting band between two shock absorbing 3,082,896 Patented Mar. 26,1963 contact pads, adaptable for the easy placement on the corners oflarge or small curvature on an article, said band having a bottomsurface flush with said pads and providing a seat for a metal shippingstrap or other types of strapping material adapted to pass over saidpads.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will beobserved from the following description, and from the drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing an article being prepared forshipment, utilizing shipping pads embodying the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view showing two articles with cornershaving large and small radii and equipped with shipping pads of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective showing the shipping pad of the presentinvention with a connecting band detached: FIG. 3a showing one end-blockfrom the top side; FIG. 3b showing a second end-block from the underside; and FIG. 3c showing the connecting band in the bent position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in .cross section of a portion of ashipping pad embodying the principles of the present invention, takenalong line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view in cross section showing one end of'a shipping pad ofthe present invention, taken along line 55 of FIG. 1.

In broad terms, my improved shipping pad packaging protective device 10is comprised of two similarly shaped end blocks 11, 12 made from solidbut yieldable material and connectable by a removable strap or band 13which may be made from the same yieldable material. The blocks 11, 12are so shaped, and the band 13-is interlocked therewith in such a mannerthat the pad 10 will provide effective protection for articles of widelyvarying sizes and shapes. In use, the blocks are placed on anysubstantially flat area, such as the adjacent sides of an article 14,while the interconnecting band 13 is extended around the obtuse orrounded corner of the article, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Embeddedwithin each yieldable block or pad 11, 12 are mamgnets 15, havingslightly recessed end-sections 16 along a plane side 17 of each block,so that the pad 10 will attach itself to the metal-sided article 14 witha force sufiicient to maintain its position to protect the article fromsudden shocking impacts, vibrations, and surface contacts during theshipping operation.

Referring now to the structural features of my improved shipping pad 10,FIG. 3 shows a composite view thereof including details of both the endblocks 11, 12 and the band 13. Each end block 11, 12 is formed from asoft, fairly flexible, shock-absorbent material such as rubber. Amongthe usable natural and synthetic elastomers, butyl-rubber has uniqueproperties which provide both prerssure and contact protection ofarticles, as well as vibration damping. Therefore, butyl-rubber is thepreferred elastomer used to form my novel shipping pad.

, In addition, the relatively soft but solid. rubber material will flowreadily during the forming process when subjected to moderate amounts ofheat and pressure, to lock in the magnet members 15 to provide, in thefinished form, an effective cushioning device. It is obvious, of course,that other materials could be used where less effective cushioning issatisfactory. For example, spongerubber or neoprene-rubber could beused, but they give less damping, less protective strength, and lessflexibility.

Any convenient plan, form, shape of the blocks 11, 12 could be made,although I prefer a generally rectangular configuration having tworelatively thick parallel side portions 18 joined by a thinner centersection 19, a slot 20 being formed between said side portions 18.Through the thin center section '19 on each block is an opening 3 21which provides a means to removably connect each block with one end ofthe band 13.

As shown in FIG. 3a, on the upper surface of each center section 19there is a rectangular cutout portion 22 which has a depth ofapproximately one half the thickness ;of the band 13 and the centersection 19 of the block. The cutout portion 22 on each block 11, 12extends inwardly from one end surface 23 and parallel to the sideportions 18 to an inner edge surface 24, approximately at the midpointof each. -The rectangular cutout portion 22 is approximately equal to orslightly larger in width than the band 13. On the lower plane side -17,of each block 11, 12 is a rectangular cutout portion 25 (FIG. 3b) whichalso extends to a depth equal to one half the thickness of the centersection 19 of the band '13. The lower cutout portion 25 has its longestdimension, which is longer than the width of the upper cutout portion22, oriented at 90 to the longest dimension of the upper cutout portion22. Thus, the lower cutout portion 25 overlaps the upper cutout portion22 to form the rectangular opening21 completely through the centersection 19. An abridging portion 26 is formed between the opening 21 andthe end surface 23. The lower cutout portion 25 extends beyond the endedge 24 of the lower cutout portion 22, to form -a bearing surface 27surrounding three sides of the opening 21, which serves to retain theend of the removable band 13 in its connected, locked position.

The flexible connecting band 13 (FIG. 30) is an important feature of myimproved shipping pad 110 and can be removably fixed to-the blocks 11,-12 at each end thereof, so that the'assembled pad can .be placed in aneffective protective position on articles having either sharply obtuseor generously rounded corners as illustrated in FIG. 2. One principaladvantage of the flexible band 13 is that it can be removed readily whennecessary, so that the blocks 11, 12 can be used separately or a band,of different length can be replaced, to accommodate an upper side ofthe band 13, I prefer to cut a V-shaped groove 28. The groove 28 is cutinwardly at approximately 45 from the top of the band 13, making a totalincluded-groove angle 90. This permits the band 13 to bend sharply forthe obtuse corner section, and yet the band 13 is flexible so that itwill readily conformto corners of large curvature, where necessary. FIG.2 shows the band 13 employed under both of the aforementioned conditionson articles placed next to each other, ready for shipment. The depth ofshape of the groove 28 in'the band 13 can be varied as desired,depending on the use to which the band is to be put and, in someinstances, a mere slit may sufiice. However, the groove 28 must leave aband thickness sufiicient to support the tightening pressures of a metalstrap 29 or other suitable tying material which may be used in someinstances in packaging articles and it also must be sufficiently thickto absorb the shock of an impact on the corner of the article.

The band 13 may be formed most conveniently by joining together twostrips of the aforementioned rubber material, of uniform and equalthickness, one on top of the other, the upper strip or half having endportions 3% extending a predetermined distance beyond the end surface 31of the lower half of the band. The width of the band 13 as'mentionedpreviously, is slightly less than the ,portion 25 on the blocks 11, 12.The thickness of each rectangular member "32 is equal to the depth ofeach vThe pad 10 then acts as one continuous integral unit, the

lower cutout portion 25 and the lower surface 33 of each rectangularsection 32 is in the same plane as the lower surface 34 of the band 13.Each rectangular end member 32 extends beyond the end surface 31 of thelower half of the band 13 to form a slot 35 between said rectangularmember 32 and said surface 31, and the member 32 also extends beyond theend of the end portion 30 of the upper half of the band 13 so that theupper surface of each rectangular member 32 provides a bearing-surface36 on each end ofthe band 13 to engage the bearing-surface 27 on an endblock 11 or 12.

With the above described structure, the band 13 can be readily attachedto or disconnected from an end block v.11 or 12 by simply deforming therectangular member 32 so that it will pass through the opening 21. Whenthe band 13 is locked in an end block 11, the rectangular member 32 isseated in the lower cutout 25 of each. block with the lower surface 33of the rectangular member 32 flush with the plane side 17 of the endblock 11 or 12 and the bearing surfaces 27 and 36 adjacent each other.

bottom surface 34 of the band 13 being flush with the plane surfaces 17of both blocks 11 and 12. The band 13 can be of any length required andprovides a continuous protective surface to follow any external contouron the article being shipped.

The magnets 15 provide an important feature of my improved shipping pad10 since, in some cases, they eliminate completely the need for anyexternal attachment means on or around the article 14; and in othercases they .simplify the packing procedures by eliminating the need tohold a pad 10 in position by some external means such as a metal strap29.

As shown in FIG. 3, the magnets *15 are embedded in the thick sideportions 18 of each end block '11, 12 with their exposed end sections 16not quite flush with the plane contact surfaces 17 of each block 11, 12.I prefer to recess the magnet end sections 16 for not more than ,4 of aninch, to prevent any contact therewith on the surface of the article. Nocontact between the magnets 15 and the article is necessary ordesirable. Only the soft rubber surf-ace makes contact with the article,while magnetic force holds the pad 10 in place without the magnet 15touching the surface of the article physically; which article may beporcelain or other easily scratched material. I have found thathorseshoe-shaped permanent magnets, having the exposed end sections 16,are well adapted for use with my shipping pad .10, 'since the deformablerubber material will flow around the magnets -15 and hold them firmly inplace during the life of the shipping pad '10. The magnets 15 may beobtained commercially, and I have found that the grain-oriented AlnicoV-type performs satisfactorily, although any magnet of sufficientstrength may be used. Magnets of-the nickel-steel type having a breakingforce of approximately 8 lbs. will perform satisfactorily even wheninset within the plane contact surface 21 of the shipping pad. Othershapes of magnet, such as the well known multiple-pull magnet, also maybe utilized within the scope of this invention.

The cross sectional view of FIG. 5 shows a slightly modified form of thepresent invention, wherein the inset magnets 15 are covered completelyby a thin film '37 of rubber which is allowed to flow over the normallyexposed end portions 16 of the magnet 15. Where extreme care must beexercised to insure freedom from surface scratches on the article beingprotected, this embodiment of my invention positively prevents anymetal-to-metal contact between the magnet 15 and the article beingprotected. Again, the thickness of the rubber film 37 of up to ,4 of aninch, will be sufficient to provide a protective layer without reducingappreciably the force of the magnet 15 to hold the shipping pad 10 inposition.

In operation, my improved shipping pad 10 can be used on a wide varietyof articles having irregular shapes,

including obtuse corners and corners with large radii (FIG. 2). Theversatility and protective effectiveness of the present inventionremoves the necessity for expensive packing and crating of articles forshipment or storage.

In a typical application of the invention, appliances would roll off theassembly line mounted on a standard base member '38 (FIG. 1) and theshipping pads 16 can be placed quickly on the article 14 by a singleoperator at the vital points requiring protection, such as the corners,or around door handles and on flat panel sections.

As shown in FIG. 1, my shipping pad may be used either with or without ametal strap member 29. When the metal strap member 29 is used, theoperator merely positions a shipping pad 10 on the corner of the article14 and the strap member 29 is applied around the article within the slot20 of the blocks 11, 12 and lying along the band 13. If the packingoperation does not require the use of the metal band, the shipping padsare merely attached to the metal appliance by engaging the pad to theside or the corner thereof, the force of the magnets holding the pad inposition until it is forcibly removed. The entire packaging processtakes only a matter of minutes, when using the shipping pads in thismanner. This is in sharp contrast to the complicated time-consuming taskof assembling and installing a typical crate-type protective cover.

During the moving and storing of the articles equipped with the shippingpads of the present invention, the articles may be packed closely one toanother, as shown in FIG. 2. The shipping pads 10 placed on the outersurfaces of the appliances fully protect the vital points such ascorners and edges and also provide effective protection against shock orvibration, to protect any delicate internal parts of the article.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, manychanges in construction and widely differing embodiments andapplications of the invention will sug gest themselves without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosures and thedescription herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be inany sense limiting.

I claim:

1. A shock absorbing device for protecting articles arranged in closelyspaced relation for shipping and storage, comprising: a pair of blockmembers formed from yieldable, elastomeric material, each said blockmember having a substmtially uniform plane surface on its bottom sidefor engaging an article requiring protection; a magnet embedded in eachsaid block member, said magnets having end sections located near thesurface of said bottom side and substantially flush therewith; aflexible band member of elastomeric material connecting said blockmembers; and means for removably attaching each end of said flexibleband member to a said block member, said means comprising an openingthrough each said block member and a recessed portion around saidopening on the bottom side of said block member, and a yield ablelocking member on each end of said band member, larger than saidopenings and adapted to fit within said recessed portion around saidopening on each said block member; whereby said blocks may be retainedon merging surfaces forming a corner edge of said article while saidband member provides a connecting protective link between said blocksadapted to fit close against the merging surfaces around the corneredge.

2. A shock absorbing device for protecting articles arranged in closelyspaced relation for shipping and storage, comprising: a pair of blockmembers formed from yieldable, elastomeric material, each said blockmember having a substantially uniform plane surface on its bottom sidefor engaging an article requiring protection; a flexible band member ofelastomeric material connecting said block members; and means forremovably attaching each end of said flexible band member to a saidblock member, said means comprising an opening through each said blockmember and a recessed portion around said opening on the bottom side ofsaid block member, and a yieldable locking member on each end of saidband member, larger than said openings and adapted to fit within saidrecessed portion around said opening on each said block member; wherebysaid blocks may be retained on merging surfaces forming a corner edge ofsaid article while said band member provides a connecting protectivelink between said blocks adapted to fit close against the mergingsurfaces around the corner edge.

3. A shock absorbing device for protecting articles arranged in closelyspaced relation for shipping and storage, cornprising: a pair of blockmembers formed from yieldable, elastomeric material, each said blockmember having a substantially uniform plane surface on its bottom sidefor engaging an article requiring protection; an elongated flexible bandmember of elastomeric material connecting said block members; and meansfor removably attaching each end of said flexible band member to a saidblock member, said means comprising an opening through each said blockmember, and yielda le locking members of substantially uniform thicknessfixed to each end of said band member, said locking members being largerin area said openings but being adapted, when deformed, to pass throughsaid opening and thereafter to lie parallel to the said bottom side oneach said block member over said openings; whereby said blocks may beplaced on mer ing surfaces forming a corner edge of said article whilesaid band member provides a connecting protective link between saidblocks adapted to fit close against the merging surfaces around thecorner edge.

4. A shock absorbing device for protecting articles arranged in closelyspaced relation for shipping and storage, comprising: a pair of blockmembers formed from yieldable, elastomeric material, each said blockmember having a substantially uniform plane surface on its bottom sidefor engaging an article requiring protection; an elongated flexible bandmember of elastomeric material connecting said block members; and meansfor removably attaching each end of said flexible band member to a saidblock member, said means comprising an opening through each said blockmember and a recessed portion around said opening on the bottom side ofsaid block member, and a yieldable locking member on each end of saidband member, larger than said openings and adapted to fit within saidrecessed portion around said opening on each said block member, saidflexible band having a notched out portion between its ends; wherebysaid blocks may be retained on merging surfaces forming a corner edge ofsaid article while said band member bends sharply around the corner edgeand provides a connecting protective link between said blocks that fitsclose against the merging surfaces around the corner edge.

References (Iited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,515,356 Moon Nov. 11, 19 24 2,471,635 Mark et al May 31, 19492,474,036 Curley June 21, 1949 2,641,793 Wilm June 16, 1953 2,674,433Mautner Apr. 6, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 332,101 Great Britain Apr. 6, 1960

1. A SHOCK ABSORBING DEVICE FOR PROTECTING ARTICLES ARRANGED IN CLOSELYSPACED RELATION FOR SHIPPING AND STORAGE, COMPRISING: A PAIR OF BLOCKMEMBERS FORMED FROM YIELDABLE, ELASTOMERIC MATERIAL, EACH SAID BLOCKMEMBER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM PLANE SURFACE ON ITS BOTTOM SIDEFOR ENGAGING AN ARTICLE REQUIRING PROTECTION; A MAGNET EMBEDDED IN EACHSAID BLOCK MEMBER, SAID MAGNETS HAVING END SECTIONS LOCATED NEAR THESURFACE OF SAID BOTTOM SIDE AND SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH THEREWITH; AFLEXIBLE BAND MEMBER OF ELASTOMERIC MATERIAL CONNECTING SAID BLOCKMEMBERS; AND MEANS FOR REMOVABLY ATTACHING EACH END OF SAID FLEXIBLEBAND MEMBER TO A SAID BLOCK MEMBER, SAID MEANS COMPRISING AN OPENINGTHROUGH EACH SAID BLOCK MEMBER AND A RECESSED PORTION AROUND SAID OPEN-